The building's initial design took full advantage of the property's wide frontage along Hempstead Turnpike with large showcase windows along the full length of its' north facade. You will also notice that the store originally had an entrance from Hempstead Turnpike. Overall, though the building typified the "big box store" model that became so prevalent throught American suburbia, it evidently had somewhat greater aesthetic appeal than what it eventually devolved into over the years. And while it didn't exactly compare to other upscale department stores, shoppers who entered the main floor were greeted with high, waffled ceilings and broad columns.
Comparing the "then" shot to the "now" shot below, taken roughly from the same angle, aside from the showcase windows being boarded up, the one striking difference is the addition of a third floor, which wasn't built until 1961, effectively adding another 75,000 sq. ft. to the building.
Looking closely, one notices a different color shading of the bricks used for the third floor. When Liquidators occupied the building, the 3rd floor was used for the offices of their national headquarters.From S Klein (1955-74) to E J Korvette (1974-80) to Shopper's Village (1980-95) to National Wholesale Liquidators (1995-2009 to Shopper's Village #2 (2009), this property has gone through alot of tennants.
8 comments:
I just finished scanning a bunch of slides taken while growing up near there. Some of the trays still had the Klein's "T-Square" logo on faded price tags.
Bill:
I would love to see some of those slides if you are willing to share. You can contact me at yossiaz @aol.com
In 2018, Wholesales Liquidators went out of business and the building has become vacant. What they'll use it for in the future? I'm not sure
Oh wow!!! I’d love to see those. 🙏🏽
mooreb221@gmail.com I grew up in Lakeview.
Brian Moore is my name. 🙏🏽😇
There in the process of tearing it down to put up 500 apartments.
At the time Im typing this, the S Klein Wholesale Liquidators building is being torn down for some new apartments (similar to the ones where the hotel was). And Im honestly looking forward to it, since it'll definitely make West Hempstead look a lot nicer, with a good dense downtown feel instead of the giant parking lot it kind of was when I was growing up in the 2010s. Funnily enough, the Hempstead Turnpike side of the building looks like how it did in the 50s with no third floor and all.
How sad.....I grew up in West Hempstead, it was a lovely town to be a part of. I worked as a Delivery Boy (at 16) at the local Rexall Drug Store. I do remember when Klein's left and for a while it became Korvette's - I was a Kid - I live out in Vegas now, but I "miss" being in a small town. Maybe that sounds strange but life back then was simplier, a sweeter time....a more innocent time - Johnny
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